Materials handling

ABSTRACT

A backhoe bucket of the type including two sections attached for relative pivotal movement and an actuator for pivoting the sections relative to each other, and an attachment adapted for engagement by the sections.

United States Patent 1191 Arnold 1 1 Dec. 17, 1974 [5 MATERIALS HANDLING 3,038,622 6/1962 Quayle 214/620 3,440,744 4 1969 s 111 214 145 [75] Inventor F Amold Hubbardston 3,512,665 5/1970 w e stendorfu... 214/145 Mass- 3,667,633 6/ 1972 Cappella 214 145 [73] Assignee: Wain-Roy Company, Inc.,

u ston ass Primary Examiner+Robert G. Shendan 1 Flledl DBL 1971 Assistant Examiner-John Mannix [21 Appl. No.1 203,977

Related U.S. Application Data 1 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 133,501, April 13, 1971, Pat. No. 3,767,070.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 11/1949 Upton 37/1175 ABSTRACT A backhoe bucketv of the type includingtwo sections attachedfor relative pivotal movement and an actuator for pivoting the sections relative to each other, and an attachment adapted forengagement by the sectlons.

29 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIEUUEU 719M SHEEI 10F 5 FIG I PAIENIEB SEC] H975 SHEET 2 OF 5 PATENTEL SEC 1 7 I974 SHEET 5 OF 5 v 1 MATERIALS HANDLING This invention relates to materials handling and more particularly, to a backhoe bucket and attachments therefore. This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior copending application Ser. No. 133,501, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,070, filed Apr. l3, 1971.

One common type of apparatus for earth excavation and incidental handling of related materials, commonly known as a backhoe, includes a bucket pivotally attached to a dipper stick which is in turn movably attached to the rear of a vehicle. The bucket is oriented so that its operative leading edge contacts the earth in motion generally toward the vehicle. In the past, most backhoe buckets have been designed in such a way that they are not suitable, without extensive changes, for more than one type of use. A few multiple function buckets have been designed, but none have been generally satisfactory. In particular, they have been too wide, have not opened sufficiently to be suitable for excavation work close to a wall or similar obstacle, have not been well suited for picking up objects wider than the scoop, such as pipes, logs, or stones, and have been subject to soil build-up in the bucket which is not easily dislodged. Additionally, it has been necessary physically to disconnect the bucket from the dipper stick to use with the backhoe any other materials handling de-. vice, such as a backfill blade, pavement breaker, compactor, or auger.

It is a principal object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved backhoe bucket of substantial and variable capacity which may be used as an ejector bucket for sticky materials and can handle objects wider than the bucket. Other objects of this aspect include providing such a bucket which eliminates undesirable tooth marks on many jobs, can be used to pry out rocks, pavement and the like, and which is also useable as a shovel or clamshell. A principal object of a second aspect of the invention is to permit other attachments to be used with the backhoe without disconnecting the bucket therefrom. I In its first aspect, the invention features a backhoe bucket of the type including two sections attached for relative pivotal movement-and a pair of hydraulic actuators for pivoting the sections relative to each other, the bottoms of the two sections overlapping when they are in their relatively closed position. In preferred embodiments of this aspect in which the rear section fits partially within the front section, there is further featured mounting the actuators with their lines of force substantially in line with the sides of the bucket, providing cutting 'means at the leading and trailing edges of the front section and the leading edge of the rear'section, forming each side of each section to define a concave surface facing the other section and each side of one of the sections to define a convex surface adjacent the concave surface, and arranging the actuators. for. pivoting the sections relatively through an arc of not less than 90.

The second aspect features a materials handling attachment for connectionby engagement with the exca-- vation bucket of the type including first and second sections, each having two sides and a bottom, mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other between a relatively closed and a relatively open position, the attachment comprising a materials handler, and an attacher rigidly connected to the handler, the attacher 2 including two pairs of generally oppositely facing engagement surfaces adapted for respective surfaces the sections in face-to-face engagement, said pairs being generally perpendicular to each other. In preferred embodiments of this aspect the attacher includes a pair of transversely spaced side members each of which defines a recess for receiving a bottom edge of one bucket section, and a'pair of cross members extending between and rigidly connected to the side members, one of the cross members defining a pair of oppositelyfacing engagement surfaces arranged for respective face-to-face engagement with facing bottom edges-of v respective bucket sections. A

Other preferred embodiments, of course, may include both aspects.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the ensuing description of preferred embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein; 2O

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bucket constructed according to the present invention in its closed operative position;

FIGS. 2 and 3are perspective views of the bucket of FIG. 1 in'open operative position;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the bucket of FIG. 1 operating as .a clamshell;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of other buckets constructed according to the present invention;

. FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view, partially in section, of an attachment; and,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 7 secured to the bucket of FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-4 there is 7 45 the bottom rear edge 23 and bottom front edge 21 of portion 16. Conventional teeth 24 are mounted on plate 27 along front edge'21. A cylindrical crossbar 28,

from which a pair of ears 30 project perpendicularly rearwardly (towards rear section 14) extends laterally between and is welded to side walls, 18, 20 a short distance below hinge pin 15.

Rear section 14 similarly has generally triangular spaced side walls 32, 34 joined by a curved, laterally extending rear and bottom wall 36 and a cylindrical crossbar 37, and includes additionally an upper mount- .ing plate 38 welded along its edges to the top' edges of mouth of front section 16 so that the rear section will pass partially within said front section when bucket 10 is in-the closed operative position as shown in FIG. 1.

stops 17 on the inside surfaces of side walls 18, 20 of front section 16, and the sides and the bottoms of the sections overlap.

The leading edges 33 of side walls, 32, 34 of rear section 14 are concave. The trailing edges 19 of side walls 18, 20 of front section 16 are S-shaped; the upper portion of each edge being, viewed from the rear, convex and the lower portion being concave. Thus, the trailing edge of bottom 22 of, and cutting plate 26 on, from section 16 protrude rearward.

One end of brackets 42 is pivoted to dipper stick 12 by a hinge pin 44. The center of brackets 42 is pivotally attached to the adjacent end of a link member 48, the other end of the member 48 being pivotally attached to links 50 by hinge pin 49. The other ends of links 50 are connected by hinge pin 51 to dipper stick 12 at a point spaced from pin 44. The piston rod 52 of a hydraulic actuator 53 (for swinging bucket relative to dipper stick I2) is connected to hinge pin 49 connecting link member 48 and links 50. For relatively pivoting the bucket sections, a second hydraulic actuator 54 is connected between the end of brackets 42 most distant from pin 44 and ears 30 of crossbar 28 of front section 16. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, actuator 54 is arranged with maximum hydraulic force available for opening the bucket sections, with the cylinder end 56 of actuator 54 detachably attached to a hinge. pin 58 and the end of the actuator piston rod 60 fixed to a member 62 extending between ears 30 and pivotally attached to ears 30 by pin 61. Of course, the actuator may-be reversed.

In operation, the positioning of the hydraulic actuator 54 below hinge pin (i.e., between hinge pin 15 and the bottoms of the sections) makes it possible to pivot from section 16 more than 90 relative to rear section 14. When the bucket is in its closed operative (FIG. 1) position in which front edges 33 abut stops 17 the piston 60 of actuator 54 is withdrawn most of the way into the actuator cylinder and the bucket is of sufficiently shallow dimension as to make possible excavation in close proximity to a wall or like obstacle. When the piston is extended, the front and rear sections are pivoted apart (FIGS. 2 and 3.); thus rear section 14 may be used for independent excavation operations, front section 16 may be used independently for loosening material without interior accumulation residue, or the bucket interior may be cleaned. In this open position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the elongated portions of ears 30 overlie opposite sides of and protect piston 60. The substantial overlap of the sides and bottoms of sections Hand 16, permits the working capacity of the bucket to be varied. Additionally, the overlap of the section bottoms, and the relatively concave configuration of the adjacent section side walls enable the bucket firmly to grasp objects, such as log L shown in FIG. 4.

The design shown in FIGS. 1-4, wherein hydraulic actuator 54 is located within sections 14,16 is especially suitable for narrow buckets of relativelysm'all capacity. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, larger buckets of increased width (bucket 10" in FIG. 5 and bucket 10" in FIG. 6) may be constructed by mounting a pair of actuators exteriorly of the sections, straddling dipper stick 12.As is evident from the drawings, the construction of buckets 10' and 10" is in many respect substantially identical to that of bucket 10. Similar portions of these latter buckets are identified by the same'reference numerals as the corresponding parts of bucket 10, with differentiating primes or double primes added as appropriate. The major respects in which the construction of the various buckets differ is pointed out hereinafter. v

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, bucket 10' comprises complementary front and rear sections, 16 and 14' respectively, det'achably pivotally connected to each other by a hinge pin 15'. A pair of hydraulic actuators 54 areprovided on top of upper mounting plate 38 of rear section 14', one-actuato'r54' being mounted on the exterior side of each of brackets 42. The cylinder end 56' of each actuator 54'- is detachably attached to'a hinge pin 58' at the end of brackets 42' most distant frompin 44. Side walls 18, 20' of from section 16' extend above hinge pin 15', and the end of the piston rod of each actuator 54' is attached, by hinge pins 70, to the adjacent one of side walls 18, 20 above the pivotal axis of pin 15'.

Bucket 10 (FIG. 6) similarly includes a pair of hydraulic actuators 54" on top of upper mounting plate' tuator 54" is attached, by hinge pins 72, to the adjacent one of side walls 18", 20"-below pins 80.

In each of buckets 10' and 10, the line of force of actuators 54', 54", respectively, is closely in line with the side walls of the bucket sections.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which illustrate the manner in which attachments, such as backfill attachment 90, may be operably connected to dipper stick 12 without first removing the bucket therefrom. As shown, attachment includes a conventional backfill blade 92 to which an attachment mount, designated 94, is welded. As shown most clearly in FIG. 7, mount 94 comprises a pair of transversely-spaced sides, generally designated 96, 98 and which are mirror images of each other, joined by transversely extending cylindrical cross brace 100 and rear latch plate 102. Each side includes an upper plate 97 overlapping and welded adjacent its lower edge to the inside of a lower plate 99.

.Along the lower edge of each lower plate is an inwardly turned reinforcing flange 101. Reinforcing corner 7 plates 104 are welded to latch plate 102 and one of side plates 99 at the inside of the rear corners defined by the latch plate and the respective one of the side plates. The curved forward edges 106 of side plates 97, and the curved upper portions of forward edges 107 of plates'99 are welded to the rear of the curved backfill blade 92. The substantially straight lower portions of and defined by adjacent, in part overlapping, portions of plates 97, 99. The overall length (front to rear) of leading edge plate 27; the slot height is slightly more than twice the thickness of plate 27. As shown, an upwardly facing mounting surface 112, defined by the upper edge of plate 99, extendsfrom'a point at the rear and midway the height of slot 110 to latch plate 102. A downwardly facing surface 1 1 1, defined by the lower edge of plate 97, extends forward from a point slightly forward of the front edge 109 of surface 112 and defines the top of slot 110. The portion of plate 97 to the rear of surface 111 diverges sharply away from surface 1 12.

Each corner reinforcing plate 104 includes an inclined upper surface 105, extending inwardly from end plate 102 and the respective one of side plates 97, 98. Latch plate 102, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8, is

somewhat zig-zag in transverse cross-section and in cludes a generally vertical lower portion 114 welded to, the rear of sides 96, 98, a more horizontal central portion 116, and an upper guide portion 118 inclined at an angle of about 45 relative to portions 114 and 116. As shown, portions 114 and 116 extend the full width of attachment mount 94; portion 118 is trapezoidal in shape, being narrower at its upper edge than the mount width.

To attach backfill attachment 90 to bucket 10, sections 14, 16 are pivoted relatively away from each other to move the bucket'toward its open position (H6. 2) and separate edges 26 and 40 and both sections are pivoted relative to dipper stick 12 to place bottom 22 of front section 16 in an almost horizontal position, but with leading edge plate 27 inclined slightly downwardly. The leading edge of plate 27 is then inserted into slots 110 at this slight downward angle, with plate 97 between sides 18, 20 of bucket section 16, until front edge 27 is adjacent the fronts of the slots and the respective bottom and top surfaces of plate 27 are in face-to-face juxtoposition with mounting surfaces 112 and 111 of plates 97. The depth of slot 110 below surface 112 permits front edge plate 27 to be inserted into the slot at the slight downward angle, which is required to permit rear edge 26 to clear latch plate 102, which projects above surface 112. The clearance be tween side plates 96, 98 and between the frontend of slots 110 and the rear of blade 92 is sufficient to accomodate teeth 24, one of which, typically, is outside each side plate. Next, the entire bucket 10 is raised, bringing the top of plate 27 into engagement with surface 111 and lifting attachment 90. The center of gravity of attachment 90 is forward of surface 111, so attachment 90 pivots (clockwise as shown in FIG. 8) about surfaces 111 relative to bucket section 16 and upper surfaces 105 of corner plates 104 move into engagement with the underside of rear. edge plate 26. As should be evident from FIG. 8, the front surface 113 of latch plate 102 lower portion 1 14 engages the rear edge of plate 26 during this pivoting, and guides the attachment into the desired FIG. 8 position. Finally, the bucket sections are moved toward their relatively closed position, bringing the front edge of rear bucket section leading edge plate 40 into engagement with the rear surface 115 of latch plate portion 114 and the upper surface of plate 40 into engagement with the lower surface 117 of latch plate portion 116.

Although attachment 90 is constructed so that its center of gravity is forward of slot 110, some other attachments may not. To mount attachments of this latter type, the bucket sections are closed relative to each other immediately after leading edge plate 27 of bucket from section 16 has been inserted into slot 110. As the bucket sections close, cutting bar 40 at the frontof rear section 14 engages guide portion 1 18 of latch plate 102, and moves the attachment intothe position shown in FIG. 8.

During working of backfill blade attachment 90, horizontal movement of the attachment relative to bucket 10 is prevented by the engagement of opposite surfaces of lower portion 114 of rear plate 102 between the facing rear and front bottom edges of bucket section 16 and 14, respectively. Vertical movement in one direction is prevented by mounting surfaces 112 and surfaces .105, which engage respectively the undersides of plates 26, 27; and in the other direction by attachment rear plate central portion 116.which engages the top of cutting bar 40 and surfaces 111 which engage the adjacent top of leading edge plate 27.

Other embodiments within the scope of the following claims, including without limitation attachments comprising material handlers such as augers, pavement breakers, asphalt cutters, compactors, and the' like, will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is'claimed is:

1. A materials handling attachment for connection by engagement with an excavation bucket of the type including first and second sections, each having two sides and a bottom, mounted for pivotal movement relative .to each other between a relatively closed position and a relatively open position, said attachment comprising:

a materials handler; and,

an attacher rigidly connected to said handler and defining three pairs of generally oppositely-facing engagement surfaces arranged for engaging respective surfaces defined by said bucket,

a first pair of said engagement surfaces including a generally rearwardly facing surface arranged for engaging a generally forwardly-facing surface defined by said first section, and a generally forwardly-facing surface located forwardly of said rearwardly-facing surface and arranged for engaging a generally rearwardly-facing surface defined by said ly-facing surface of said second pair in the direction away from said first section and being on the side of said first pair opposite said downwardlyfacing surface of said second pair, and

a'third pair of said engagement surfaces being generally perpendicular to-said'first pair and including'a generally downwardly-facing surface on the side of said first pair opposite said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair and arranged for engaging a generally upwardly-facing surface defined by said second section, and a generally upwardly-facing surface arranged for engaging-a generally downwardly-facing surface defined by one of said sections and spaced from said downwardly-facing surface of'said third pair in the direction toward said first section.

2. The materials handling attachment of claim 1 detachably'connected to an excavation bucket compris-.

one bucket section having two sides, a bottom, and a top including a junction member, said junction member being adapted for connection to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about a first axis; another bucket section having two sides and a bottom mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first bucket section about a second axis; and, an actuator attached to both of said section and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other, facing edges of the bottoms of said sections engaging said first pair of surfaces,

one of said sections being said first section and having a generally upwardly facing surface of the bottom thereof engaging one of said second pair, and

the other of said sections being said second section and having a generally downwardly facing surface of the bottom thereof engaging the other of said second pair.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said attacher includes a pair of transversely-spaced side members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said attacher includes a cross-piece extending between and joined to said side members, said cross-piece defining said first pair of engagement surfaces. i

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said crosspiece includes first and second portions at a substantial angle to each other, and first pair of engagement surfaces are defined by said first portion.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said second portion defines one of said second pair of engagement surfaces.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said side members includes a recess receiving a transversely-extendingbottom edge portion of said second section and defines a said upwardly-facing engagement surface and a said downwardly-facing engagement surface. 1

8. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said surfaces member includes first and second portions disposed at a substantial angle to each other, said first pair of engagement surfaces being defined by. opposite sides of said first portion and being arranged to engage respective generally facing edges of said sections.

16. The attachment of claim 15 wherein said first pair of engagement surfaces are arranged to engage edges of the bottoms of said sections.

17. The attachment of claim 15 wherein said upward ly-facing surface of said second pair is arranged to 'engage a surface defined by the bottom of said second section, and said second portion is disposed at a substantial angle relative to said first pair of engagement surfaces and defines said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair, said downwardly-facing surface being arranged to engage a surface defined by the bottom of said first section. V

18. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said attacher includes a longitudinally extending member defining a said upwardly-facing. engagement surface and a said downwardly-facing engagement surface.

19. The attachment of claim 18 wherein said member defines a recess longitudinally spaced from said first pair of surfaces for receiving a transversely-extending bottom portion of said second section, said recess defining one of said third pair of engagement surfaces.

20. The attachment of claim 19 wherein the height of said recess is not less than about twice the thickness of said transversely-extending bottom portion.

of said third pair are on the same side of 'said first pair.

9. The attachment of claim 8 wherein said attacher includes a pair of transversely-spaced side members and a cros's member extending between and rigidly connected to said side members, said cross-member including first and second portions disposed at a substan tial angle to each other, said first pair of engagement surfaces being defined by opposite sides of said first portion and one of said second pair of said surfaces being defined by said second portion.

10. The attachment of claim 9 wherein said attacher defines a recess spaced longitudinally from and facing said cross-member, the top of said recess defining one of said third pair of engagement surfaces.

11. The attachment of claim 10 wherein said recess is defined by one of said side members.

12. The attachment of claim 11 wherein each of said side members defines a recess.

21. The attachment of claim 19 wherein the center of gravity of said attachment is on the side of said recess nearer said handler.

22. The attachment of claim 19 wherein said upwardly facing engagement surface of said third pair is intermediate said recess and said first pair.

23. A materials handling attachment for connection by engagement with an excavation bucket of the type including front and rear sections, each having two sides and a bottom, mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other between a relatively closed position and a relatively open position, said attachment comprising:

a materials handler; and, i an attacher rigidly connected to said handler,

said attacher including two pairsof generally opposone surface of a second one of said pairs being defined by the top of said recess and being arranged for engaging a surface defined by a bottom portion of said one section in face-to-face engagement,

at least a portion of the other surface of said second pair being defined by said member and extending v away from said recess from a point adjacent an end of and intermediate the height of -said recess, and

said first pair being generally, perpendicular to said second pair.

24. The attachment of claim 23 wherein said attacher includes a cross-member on the side of said recess opposite .said handler extending transversely relative to and rigidly attached to said longitudinally-extending member, said cross-member defining said first pair of edges of said sections.

27; The attachment of claim 26 wherein said second portion defines an engagement surface disposed at a substantial angle relative to said first pair of engage ment surfaces and facing generally oppositely of said other surface of said second pair and being arranged to engage a surface defined by the bottom of the other of said sections.

28. The attachment of claim 27 wherein another portion of saidother surface of said second pair extends from said cross-member towards said recess.

29. The attachment of claim24 wherein said attacher includes a second member extending longitudinally from said handler to said cross-member, said second member being transversely spaced from said first mentioned longitudinally-extending member, said crossmember extending between and being rigidly attached to said longitudinally-extending members, and said-sec- 0nd member defining a said recess for receiving said transversely-extending bottom portion and defining a said second pair of engagement surfaces. 

1. A materials handling attachment for connection by engagement with an excavation bucket of the type including first and second sections, each having two sides and a bottom, mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other between a relatively closed position and a relatively open position, said attachment comprising: a materials handler; and, an attacher rigidly connected to said handleR and defining three pairs of generally oppositely-facing engagement surfaces arranged for engaging respective surfaces defined by said bucket, a first pair of said engagement surfaces including a generally rearwardly facing surface arranged for engaging a generally forwardly-facing surface defined by said first section, and a generally forwardly-facing surface located forwardly of said rearwardly-facing surface and arranged for engaging a generally rearwardly-facing surface defined by said second section; a second pair of said engagement surfaces being generally perpendicular to said first pair and including a generally downwardly-facing surface arranged for engaging a generally upwardly-facing surface defined by said first section, and a generally upwardly-facing surface arranged for engaging a generally downwardly-facing surface defined by said second section, said upwardly-facing surface of said second pair being spaced from said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair in the direction away from said first section and being on the side of said first pair opposite said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair, and a third pair of said engagement surfaces being generally perpendicular to said first pair and including a generally downwardly-facing surface on the side of said first pair opposite said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair and arranged for engaging a generally upwardly-facing surface defined by said second section, and a generally upwardly-facing surface arranged for engaging a generally downwardly-facing surface defined by one of said sections and spaced from said downwardly-facing surface of said third pair in the direction toward said first section.
 2. The materials handling attachment of claim 1 detachably connected to an excavation bucket comprising: one bucket section having two sides, a bottom, and a top including a junction member, said junction member being adapted for connection to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about a first axis; another bucket section having two sides and a bottom mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first bucket section about a second axis; and, an actuator attached to both of said section and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other, facing edges of the bottoms of said sections engaging said first pair of surfaces, one of said sections being said first section and having a generally upwardly facing surface of the bottom thereof engaging one of said second pair, and the other of said sections being said second section and having a generally downwardly facing surface of the bottom thereof engaging the other of said second pair.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said attacher includes a pair of transversely-spaced side members.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said attacher includes a cross-piece extending between and joined to said side members, said cross-piece defining said first pair of engagement surfaces.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said cross-piece includes first and second portions at a substantial angle to each other, and first pair of engagement surfaces are defined by said first portion.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said second portion defines one of said second pair of engagement surfaces.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said side members includes a recess receiving a transversely-extending bottom edge portion of said second section and defines a said upwardly-facing engagement surface and a said downwardly-facing engagement surface.
 8. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said surfaces of said third pair are on the same side of said first pair.
 9. The attachment of claim 8 wherein said attacher includes a pair of transversely-spaced side members and a cross-member extending between and rigidly connected to said side members, said cross-member including first and second portions disposed at a substantial angle to each other, said first pAir of engagement surfaces being defined by opposite sides of said first portion and one of said second pair of said surfaces being defined by said second portion.
 10. The attachment of claim 9 wherein said attacher defines a recess spaced longitudinally from and facing said cross-member, the top of said recess defining one of said third pair of engagement surfaces.
 11. The attachment of claim 10 wherein said recess is defined by one of said side members.
 12. The attachment of claim 11 wherein each of said side members defines a recess.
 13. The attachment of claim 10 wherein the other of said second pair of surfaces is adjacent said recess, and the other of said third pair of surfaces is adjacent said cross-member.
 14. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said attacher includes a pair of transversely spaced side members, and a cross-member extending between and rigidly connected to said side members, said cross-member defining said first pair of engagement surfaces.
 15. The attachment of claim 14 wherein said cross-member includes first and second portions disposed at a substantial angle to each other, said first pair of engagement surfaces being defined by opposite sides of said first portion and being arranged to engage respective generally facing edges of said sections.
 16. The attachment of claim 15 wherein said first pair of engagement surfaces are arranged to engage edges of the bottoms of said sections.
 17. The attachment of claim 15 wherein said upwardly-facing surface of said second pair is arranged to engage a surface defined by the bottom of said second section, and said second portion is disposed at a substantial angle relative to said first pair of engagement surfaces and defines said downwardly-facing surface of said second pair, said downwardly-facing surface being arranged to engage a surface defined by the bottom of said first section.
 18. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said attacher includes a longitudinally extending member defining a said upwardly-facing engagement surface and a said downwardly-facing engagement surface.
 19. The attachment of claim 18 wherein said member defines a recess longitudinally spaced from said first pair of surfaces for receiving a transversely-extending bottom portion of said second section, said recess defining one of said third pair of engagement surfaces.
 20. The attachment of claim 19 wherein the height of said recess is not less than about twice the thickness of said transversely-extending bottom portion.
 21. The attachment of claim 19 wherein the center of gravity of said attachment is on the side of said recess nearer said handler.
 22. The attachment of claim 19 wherein said upwardly facing engagement surface of said third pair is intermediate said recess and said first pair.
 23. A materials handling attachment for connection by engagement with an excavation bucket of the type including front and rear sections, each having two sides and a bottom, mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other between a relatively closed position and a relatively open position, said attachment comprising: a materials handler; and, an attacher rigidly connected to said handler, said attacher including two pairs of generally oppositely-facing engagement surfaces and a longitudinally extending member defining a recess for receiving a transversely-extending bottom portion of one of said sections, the height of said recess being not less than about twice the height of said transversely-extending bottom portion, a first one of said pairs of generally oppositely-facing engagement surfaces being arranged for engaging respective facing surfaces of different ones of said sections, one surface of a second one of said pairs being defined by the top of said recess and being arranged for engaging a surface defined by a bottom portion of said one section in face-to-face engagement, at least a portion of the other surface of said second pair being defined by said member and extenDing away from said recess from a point adjacent an end of and intermediate the height of said recess, and said first pair being generally perpendicular to said second pair.
 24. The attachment of claim 23 wherein said attacher includes a cross-member on the side of said recess opposite said handler extending transversely relative to and rigidly attached to said longitudinally-extending member, said cross-member defining said first pair of engagement surfaces.
 25. The attachment of claim 24 wherein said cross-member includes first and second portions disposed at a substantial angle to each other, said first pair of engagement surfaces being defined by opposite sides of said first portion and being arranged to engage respective generally facing edges of said sections.
 26. The attachment of claim 25 wherein said first pair of engagement surfaces are arranged to engage bottom edges of said sections.
 27. The attachment of claim 26 wherein said second portion defines an engagement surface disposed at a substantial angle relative to said first pair of engagement surfaces and facing generally oppositely of said other surface of said second pair and being arranged to engage a surface defined by the bottom of the other of said sections.
 28. The attachment of claim 27 wherein another portion of said other surface of said second pair extends from said cross-member towards said recess.
 29. The attachment of claim 24 wherein said attacher includes a second member extending longitudinally from said handler to said cross-member, said second member being transversely spaced from said first mentioned longitudinally-extending member, said cross-member extending between and being rigidly attached to said longitudinally-extending members, and said second member defining a said recess for receiving said transversely-extending bottom portion and defining a said second pair of engagement surfaces. 